Vascular Surgery

UTMB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, Texas 77555-0735
Phone: (409) 772-6366
FAX: (409) 747-0966

The incidence and prevalence of vascular disease are on the rise, given the growing elderly population. In 2005, the U.S. Census reported there were more than 67 million people aged 55 and older. It anticipates that number to rise to more than 87 million in 2015.To optimize your patients' vascular health, vascular surgeons now perform a variety of new, minimally invasive, catheter-based endovascular procedures in addition to traditional surgical approaches to therapy.

These catheter-based treatments include stenting of the carotid artery, endovascular repair of abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms, atherectomy or angioplasty devices used to clear lower extremity arteries of plaque, and less invasive therapies for varicose veins. Vascular surgeons offer a full range of less invasive and simpler treatment options for your patients with vascular problems. Treated patients often quickly resume normal activities following short hospital stays.

These new endovascular treatment options are incorporated with the time-honored operative techniques we have always used for more complex vascular problems. Please be assured of our ongoing commitment to continue to do what we have always done best—provide the full range of vascular services for your patients, including both diagnosis and disease treatment, as described in the enclosed brochure.

Vascular surgeons have partnered with primary care physicians in managing patients with vascular disease for more than 50 years. We look forward to working with you in caring for your patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Vascular Lab
Duplex ultrasound combines Doppler and conventional ultrasound to allow physicians to see the structure of your blood vessels. Duplex ultrasound shows how blood is flowing through your vessels and measures the speed of the flow of blood.

Conventional ultrasound uses sound waves higher than the human ear can detect that bounce off of blood vessels. A computer converts the sound waves into two-dimensional, black and white moving images.

Doppler ultrasound measures how sound waves reflect off of moving objects. A wand bounces short bursts of sound waves off of red blood cells and sends the information to a computer. Doppler ultrasound produces two-dimensional color images that show if blood flow is affected by problems in the blood vessels.

When performing duplex ultrasound, your physician uses the two forms of ultrasound together. The conventional ultrasound shows the structure of your blood vessels and Doppler ultrasound shows the movement of your red blood cells through the vessels. Duplex ultrasound produces images that can be color coded to show physicians where your blood flow is severely blocked.